Schools Brace For Torrent Of Transfers

The No Child Left Behind Law Requires Many More Students Be Given A Choice.

June 18, 2004|By Dave Weber, Sentinel Staff Writer

Nearly 100,000 public-school students across Central Florida could soon be asked whether they want to change schools -- an explosion in numbers that rolled across school districts Thursday as its magnitude became clear.

About 140 schools in the six Orlando-area counties haven't met tough, new standards for student achievement under the federal No Child Left Behind law, triggering requirements that students be offered other options, including a transfer to a better public school.

Data on which schools passed the federal hurdle were released Tuesday amid the annual hoopla of the Florida school-grades report. Two days later, school administrators still were scurrying to determine which schools must offer transfers or other options and to get word out to parents.

"It's going to be a nightmare," said Don Miller, who is in charge of special programs for Osceola County schools.

Until now, school transfers across Florida have been limited to a few dozen schools that missed the federal standard in prior years or scored F's two consecutive years under the state's "A-Plus Plan for Education.''

But with three out of four schools missing the federal mark this year, the number of schools required to provide options is exploding statewide.

In Orange County alone, 26 elementary schools and two middle schools must offer choices because they failed for two consecutive years to show "adequate yearly progress" in reading or math, as required by No Child Left Behind.

Among them is Eccleston Elementary in Orlando, a low-income school that earned an A from the state this week after struggling to rise above the D and F grades it received only a few years ago.

Now Principal Ruthie Haniff is facing the prospect of losing students because the school did not meet the federal rules, despite the substantial improvement.

Students at all 28 Orange County schools will be offered transfers to two nearby schools, but some also will be offered new "school within a school" programs at their current schools.

In Osceola County, 14 schools have to offer choice, and 20 in Lake must do the same. The total is 11 in Seminole, and in Polk, it's 41.

Volusia district officials worked Thursday to narrow a list of about 30 schools, pledging to spread the word to parents soon.

"We are working as quickly as we can," said Peggy Hildebrand, Volusia's coordinator of No Child Left Behind.

The school districts must hurry because they must notify parents by July 1 if their children qualify to attend another school or can choose an alternate program that schools are designing to meet state and federal requirements. Districts plan to send parents letters or brochures describing the choices.

A wild card is how many students actually will transfer or enter special programs. School officials cringe at the prospect of 100,000 transfers, given the problems of providing enough teachers and classrooms at new schools.

Many students may decide to stay put, however. Last year, when seven Orange County schools were offered transfers under No Child Left Behind, only 7 percent of eligible students switched schools. By mid-July, parents must decide whether they want to take advantage of the choice offer so that schools can make arrangements before classes start.

Jennifer Kessler, who teaches kindergarten at Michigan Avenue Elementary School in St. Cloud, thinks most parents will stay put. Michigan Avenue earned its fourth A grade in as many years, although it ended up on the list of Osceola schools where parents can get transfers for their children.

"I think they'll be happy and content with the school," said Kessler, whose daughter just completed third grade at Michigan Avenue.

Mollie Cunningham, principal of Eustis Heights Elementary in Lake County, said she expects parents to stick with her C-rated school as well, although transfers will be available. The school missed the federal mark in math.

"We do a lot for our parents," Cunningham said. "They understand it is not as simple as it seems."

Public schools in Florida were judged in 30 categories to determine whether they met the No Child Left Behind standards. Under rules the state approved, schools that miss even one standard fail to make adequate yearly progress.

Although all schools in Florida were measured for "AYP," only so-called Title I schools that don't meet standards must offer the transfers. Title I schools have high numbers of low-income children and receive federal money to help educate them.

Typically, districts spend that money on elementary schools, although middle schools occasionally get a share.

A portion of Title I money will be shifted to pay for the transfers or special programs. Lowest performing students will have dibs on the choices if schools or districts can't afford to serve everyone who applies.